It has not been an easy summer so far. The heatwaves have only served to exacerbate issues of overpopulation, jammed roads and general over-demand on essential services.
Switching on a light-switch when getting home after along day’s work, and witnessing one’s home become bathed with light, has become akin to winning a minor lottery of sorts. Power cuts have once again wreaked havoc across the islands, disturbing businesses from their operations and layering untold suffering on the most vulnerable in our communities.
No matter how much it purportedly tries, Enemalta can’t seem to be able to get it right with this one.
This year, we also had what appears to be a spike in water contamination as well, with a number of swimming spots being shut off at the peak of summer. Perhaps Balluta Bay in St Julian’s was only the most evident one, of which the sickly green hued waters made the rounds on social media.
Sadly, there were more beaches that received the same treatment – some due to the escape of untreated sewage, others due to an overflow of foul waters.
In fact, il-Bajja tal-Għażżenin in St Paul’s Bay, St George’s Bay, also in St Julian’s, and St George’s Bay in Birzebbuga all had to be closed off for swimmers for some time, between May and last week.
This is beyond unacceptable. It is unacceptable for our seas to be polluted with untreated sewage at any time of the year. But when it happens in the peak of summer, the embarrassment is accentuated.
There was a time, not too long ago, when Malta boasted the best waters and the best beaches, complete with blue flag status. Nowadays it feels like all this work is increasingly becoming threatened and at risk of being lost. But the sea isn’t the only element in our environment which seems to require our attention.
Earlier this year, it was reported how Malta’s air had more than double the amount of pollutants recommended by the World Health Organisation. In fact, Malta recorded no fewer than 12 microgrammes of fine particles per cubic metre in its air, while the recommended maximum is that of 5 microgrammes.
Such microscopic pollutants are very dangerous as they can enter the human body easily and lead to issues of health such as asthma, lung diseases and cancer. This result place Malta in the 49th place for air quality, worldwide, which is not an enviable position to be in.
These results need to improve. It is no use having an economy that does well, if our air and water quality are being compromised. It is no use aspiring to become more cosmopolitan, if our bill of health is being compromised. It always boils down to a matter of priorities, and sometimes I feel that we have them all upside down.
Alexander Mangion is Deputy Mayor of Attard